Four intrepid businessmen have raised more than £5,000 for the Devon Air Ambulance after completing an endurance road trip across Europe in a fleet of budget classic cars.
The four partners of Exeter-based Cobell, the fastest growing fruit supplier in Europe, drove a staggering 2,400 miles in just three days.

The car enthusiasts got the idea for the charity fund-raising Melon Ball Run from BBC’s Top Gear and with a budget of just £700 each they invested in two Jaguars, one Daimler and a convertible Ford Escort – all more than 15 years old.

The team managed to raise a total of £5050.00 for Devon Air Ambulance following their trip in December and chose the charity because Commercial Director David Pearce’s father had been helped by the Air Ambulance after suffering a heart attack while driving. “The Devon Air Ambulance saved my Dad’s life – so it’s great to be able to say thank-you and to give something back to such a vitally important local charity,” explained David.

Unfortunately David’s Ford Escort didn’t even make it out of the UK; “When I bought the 1984 Escort cabriolet it had allegedly only done 49,000 miles,” said David, “but I reckon it was more like 149,000. And sadly it broke down at Folkestone so I hitched a ride with the others and helped share the driving.”

“Considering we paid less than £700 each for the cars they ran really well,” said Cobell founder and managing director Nick Sprague. “We had to check the oil regularly but apart from that they didn’t skip a beat and got us safely from the UK to Monte Carlo and back.”

The four business partners, Nick Sprague, David Pearce, Graham Holland and Ian Taylor had some adventures along the way as well as clocking up hundreds of miles a day.

“In one day we drove through seven countries – Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, France including the principalities of Monaco and Liechtenstein. That’s 691 miles,” said Nick Sprague.

During their punishing schedule, the team also managed to stop-off to meet two of their suppliers , Rauch in Austria and Eckes Grannin in Strasbourg.
Caroline Creer, Fundraising Director of Devon Air Ambulance Trust said “We are delighted Nick, David, Graham and Ian chose us as the beneficiary for their journey of a lifetime. Without the support of people just like them, there would be no Air Ambulance in Devon, let alone two!

“ If there is anyone else who would like to undertake a similar fundraising event or raise funds for your Air Ambulances another way, why not get in touch with us by ringing 01392 466666 or via our website at www.daat.org?”

Note to Editors: For more information or interviews, please contact KOR Communications on 01392 466733